IRVINE, CA (March 27, 2014) On Sunday, March 30th, 2014, members of the Persian community and their guests will gather at William R. Mason Regional Park, an Orange County Park, located in the City of Irvine at 18712 University Drive in the City of Irvine (University/Culver) to celebrate the Persian New Year “Sizdeh Bedar.” This event historically attracts thousands of people and will result in periods of severe traffic congestion along roadways surrounding Mason Park.

In anticipation of the congestion associated with this event the Irvine Police Department is suggesting alternate routes be used when driving in this area between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. University Drive will be closed between Michelson Drive and Culver Drive from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to accommodate the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) half marathon road race.

The following roadways will likely experience traffic delays due to event traffic:

– Culver Drive between Campus Drive and the I-405 freeway

– Harvard Avenue between Culver Drive and Michelson Drive

Major thoroughfares in the vicinity may be posted “no parking, tow away” and will be strictly enforced. In addition, access to the villages of Rancho San Joaquin and Columbia Square will be limited to residents and their guests with parking permits.

Parking within Mason Regional Park is $15.00 per vehicle and is limited to 600 vehicles. Private parking lots in the area may allow parking for a fee. The City of Irvine does not regulate parking fees at any of these sites. University High School, located at the intersection of Culver Drive and Campus Drive, will provide limited paid parking as well. A “temporary loading zone” will be established on University Drive between Harvard and San Joaquin. Additionally, overflow parking will be available on the University of California, Irvine campus.

For more information about parking or the event, please visit the William R. Mason Regional Park page of the ocparks.com website.

The City of Irvine wishes the Persian community a very happy New Year!

Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 231,117, spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Orange County Great Park – the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century. For more information, please visit cityofirvine.org.